Watchdog Pushes for Lead-Safe Schools as Phase-Out of Leaded Architectural Paints Looms
EcoWaste Coalition
Unit 329, Eagle Court, 26 Matalino St., 1101 Quezon City Philippines
Phone/Fax: 4411846 E-Mail: info@ecowastecoalition.org
Website: http://ecowastecoalition.blogspot.com
Press Release
Watchdog Pushes for Lead-Safe Schools as Phase-Out of Leaded Architectural Paints Looms
13 April 2016, Quezon City. A watchdog group exhorted the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure that only lead-safe paints are used in decorating all school buildings nationwide as the yearly “Brigada Eskwela” school repair and maintenance program nears.
Through a letter sent to Education Secretary Armin Luistro, the EcoWaste Coalition urged DepEd to issue a Department Order that will make it obligatory for schools to use only lead-safe paints.
“We seek Secretary Luistro’s support to reduce, if not eliminate, major sources of lead pollution in children’s environment such as lead-containing paint and dust. Lead is hazardous to health, it is particularly harmful for a child’s developing brain and body,” Aileen Lucero, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.
The group’s vigorous drive towards lead-safe schools is in anticipation of the phase-out of lead-containing architectural, decorative and household paints by January 1, 2017 as per Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2013-24.
“While the phase-out will only take effect in January next year, we find it extremely important that all schools take the deliberate decision now not to use lead-containing paints and ensure a lead-safe school environment for healthy and bright children,” Lucero said.
“We hope that the directive will be released soon to serve as guidance for the schools and their community of donors and supporters for the Brigada Eskwela on May 30 to June 4,” she added.
The requested Department Order will be in sync with DepEd’s mission of promoting a child-friendly school environment where students can obtain quality basic education they deserve, as well as with the 15-point “Human Rights Agenda for Chemical Safety” adopted by the Commission on Human Rights,” the EcoWaste Coalition pointed out.
For the group, the Department Order should make it mandatory for schools to use only lead-safe coatings for painting and/or repainting school structures and fixtures (e.g., buildings, classrooms, offices, windows, doors and gates), amenities (e.g., libraries, laboratories, canteens, clinics, covered courts and playgrounds), furniture (e.g., chairs, tables and cabinets) and learning materials (e.g., blackboards and teaching aids, including school supplies and toys) used in all elementary and secondary educational institutions.
It should also apply to paints directly procured by the school, as well as those sourced by other means such as through individual, group, corporate or local government donations,” the group added.
The EcoWaste Coalition noted that Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc. and Davies Paints Philippines, Inc. have successfully transitioned to non-lead paint production, while other companies are on their way to switching to non-lead additives for oil-based (enamel) paints in compliance with DENR A.O. 2013-14.
It added that water-based paints, which are extensively available in the market, do not contain lead additives.
Aside from directly protecting vulnerable children from being exposed to lead early in life, the proposed policy will also make the maintenance, repair and renovation of painted surfaces simpler and less hazardous and avoid the exorbitant costs associated with lead paint abatement and removal, as well as reduce the hazardous content of construction debris, the EcoWaste Coalition explained.
Citing information from the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (a joint initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization), the group pointed out that young children may inhale or ingest lead-containing paint chips, dust or soil as lead paint deteriorates over time.
The WHO has stated “there is no known level of lead exposure that is considered to be safe,” stressing that “childhood lead poisoning can have lifelong health impacts, including: learning disabilities, anemia, and disorders in coordination, visual, spatial and language skills.”
Lead is one of the “ten chemicals of major public health concern,” according to WHO.
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Reference:
http://server2.denr.gov.ph/uploads/rmdd/dao-2013-24.pdf
http://www.chr.gov.ph/MAIN%20PAGES/about%20hr/position%20papers/pdf/Peop...
http://www.unep.org/chemicalsandwaste/LeadCadmium/LeadPaintAlliance/tabi...